• Registered: 2022-04-17
  • Posts: 16

Topic: Convert Phono preamp to digital stream with ADI-2 FS?

Hello RME forum,

I enjoy using the ADI-2 DAC fs in my desktop system, but have a question about connecting my turntable to a digital pre in my main system.

I recently removed my analog preamp in my main system which is now driven by an all in one DAC/preamp/streamer. I'm looking for a simple RME ADC to connect my turntable phono stage to into my Dac/pre. I know the new ADI Pro 2/4 is purpose built for this use case (even with a MM phono stage) but it is a little overkill and $ for my use case as I already have a digital front end and phono stage I'm happy with.

Is the ADI-2 FS a good solution to convert the analog signal from my phono stage (2v output) to digital signal? Or perhaps the BabyFace? My Dac/Pre has all sorts of digital inputs from Toslink to coax S/PDIF, USB and even dual AES/EBU.

Thank you for your guidance

  • From: Southern Sweden
  • Registered: 2022-03-28
  • Posts: 30

Re: Convert Phono preamp to digital stream with ADI-2 FS?

Actually, I am also happy with my phono stage. I have connected it to my ADI-2 Pro FS R BE which has analog input (balanced XLR or single ended are possible). The ADI-2 DAC FS has no analog in and is not possible to use in your case unless you can get a digital signal from your phono stage.
Great sound through the ADI-2 Pro FS R BE - both from vinyl and from streaming music from my dCS Network Bridge via single AES. And I am relieved from using a pre-amp that often comes in the way of the music or at least is not as transparent as what I hear coming from ADI-2 Pro FS R BE.

  • Registered: 2022-04-17
  • Posts: 16

Re: Convert Phono preamp to digital stream with ADI-2 FS?

thank you @zyberguran

since I have the D to A covered already I really only need A to D. Wondering if the ADI-2 FS (AD only) will work. https://www.rme-audio.de/ADI-2-FS.html for my use case. Line level Phono input digital out via TOSLINK

  • From: Southern Sweden
  • Registered: 2022-03-28
  • Posts: 30

Re: Convert Phono preamp to digital stream with ADI-2 FS?

Yes, I can see from what UI read that the ADI-2 FS would be the right product for you. And for just half the $$.
However, I have no first hand experience of that box - maybe someone else can contribute...

  • KaiS
  • DAW Mastermind
  • Offline
  • From: Germany
  • Registered: 2020-02-05
  • Posts: 3,525

Re: Convert Phono preamp to digital stream with ADI-2 FS?

I can confirm, ADI-2 FS works nicely as an AD-converter for this usecase.

KaiS's Website

  • Registered: 2022-04-17
  • Posts: 16

Re: Convert Phono preamp to digital stream with ADI-2 FS?

@KaiS and @zyberguran - thank you both!

7 Reply by urbanluthier (edited by urbanluthier 2023-10-05 16:22:46)

  • Registered: 2022-04-17
  • Posts: 16

Re: Convert Phono preamp to digital stream with ADI-2 FS?

Sorry another newbie question regarding RME A to D conversation for Vinyl playback. There are long lead time for the ADI-2 FS in my region.

The Babyface Pro however is very popular and available! Will this work as an ADC for vinyl playback in a digital system? In my case I want to run my turntable phono stage into the babyface ADC and the optical S/PDIF output into my Dac preamp (non RME dac) for playback.

Will the babyface pro work my use case? Are the TS inputs on the side mono? i.e would I connect the left output of my phono stage into one and the right into the other with TS to rca adaptor?

Thank you in advance for your guidance. I'm tying to figure out from the manual but I'm fairly non technical and still learning!

8 Reply by KaiS (edited by KaiS 2023-10-05 17:19:28)

  • KaiS
  • DAW Mastermind
  • Offline
  • From: Germany
  • Registered: 2020-02-05
  • Posts: 3,525

Re: Convert Phono preamp to digital stream with ADI-2 FS?

urbanluthier wrote:

…In my case I want to run my turntable phono stage into the babyface ADC and the optical S/PDIF output into my Dac preamp (non RME dac) for playback.

• Does the device you call “DAC preamp” (model number?) have analog inputs?

In this case connect the phono RIAA preamp directly to it for a pure analog path, avoiding intermediate AD-DA conversion.

• Else, Babyface Pro FS can be used in standalone mode, to serve as AD-DA converter, pre- and headphones-amp.
See manual page 90.

For easy setup with “TotalMixFX” app, Babyface can be connected with USB to a computer or an iPad.


• If you want to record / digitize your vinyl, Babyface can take the phono RIAA preamp‘s analog signal and send it to a computer for recording.

• Babyface’s TS are mono each, fitting cables RCA to TS are widely available.

KaiS's Website

  • Registered: 2022-04-17
  • Posts: 16

Re: Convert Phono preamp to digital stream with ADI-2 FS?

@KaiS thanks!

My Dac Preamp (DCS Bartok is in the main system) has digital inputs only! I'm using a $10 ADC right now RIAA Phono pre goes into this box and the ADC is sent to my DAC via optical SPDIF. (I use a RME ADI 2 in my desktop setup)

the Babyface may be overkill for what I'm doing, but i like the idea of being able to rip Vinyl in the future and toy around with media and sound production.